Saskatoon Olympians welcomed home

Kaylyn Kyle, a former star at Saskatoon’s Bishop Mahoney High School and a key member of Canada’s Olympic bronze-medal women’s soccer team, received a gold medal welcome Monday evening at the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport.

“Coming through the doors and seeing all my friends and family, it’s incredible,” said the 23-year-old wearing her team Canada outfit. “Just coming home and being able to share this with everyone in Saskatchewan, it’s really a dream come true.”

Kyle was greeted by her mother, Pat Kyle, moments after she landed in Saskatoon.

“It’s been emotions all day,” said Pat, who recently returned from London, where she was cheering on her daughter throughout the Summer Games.

Pat Kyle at the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport in Saskatoon on Aug. 13, 2012. Fan Yee-Suen/News Talk Radio

Watching the final match was “incredible,” said Pat of the heart palpating win against France on Aug. 9 when the Canadian team captured their first medal in a summer team sport since 1936.

“The soccer gods were with us that day,” said Pat.

Although Kyle will be taking some time off -- she will be travelling to Las Vegas for the first time in the coming weeks -- the energetic blonde said she looks forward to getting back on the field and helping to reenergize soccer fans in Canada.

“This medal couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Kyle.

“After the heartbreak at the World Cups, medalling at the Olympics and then hosting the World Cup in 2015, I think it’s going to be fantastic and hopefully, we got some more fans and we start selling out venues,” she said.

Support for women’s basketball team

Kyle wasn’t the only Olympian to receive a warm welcome on Monday.

Saskatoon’s Krista Phillips, who saw more than 20 minutes of court time at the London Games, was also greeted by friends and family.

Despite missing the podium, Phillips said the team -- who fell 91-48 to the United States during the quarter-finals -- hit many milestones and exceeded their expectations.

“This is the first time we qualified in 12 years so obviously that’s outstanding.”

Fans waiting to greet Olympains at the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport in Saskatoon on Aug. 13, 2012. Fan-Yee Suen/News Talk Radio